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Committed to the environment, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the demand for nonfossil fuel vehicles, innovation, and a vision for the future, Petrobras Distribuidora is implementing two pioneering projects. In Rio de Janeiro, it has inaugurated the Eletroposto, the first solar charging station in the Southern Hemisphere to serve electric vehicles. In São Paulo, it will inaugurate the first service station to supply hydrogen-powered vehicles within four months.

The Eletroposto, a R$ 70,000 investment which was implemented in July 2009, is a 100% Brazilian technology project developed by Petrobras Distribuidora. The charging station is one of a kind in the Southern Hemisphere because it obtains its energy from solar panels, and there are only about five similar ones in the Northern Hemisphere. The energy is obtained through a set of 28 panel-mounted photovoltaic cell modules, generating up to 184 Vdc and resulting in up to 100 kW/h per month. The direct current is converted into 220 Vac three-phase power by a Sunny Boy inverter. The resulting power is made available through three 110 or 220 recharging outlets for motorcycles and cars. In the event of a lack of solar energy or a peak demand that exceeds its designed capacity, the inverter obtains its energy from the electricity grid. When not in use for recharge, the generated energy is directed to the service station. As Rio de Janeiro is sunny for 70% of the year, the balance of renewable energy is always positive. There is also the possibility of choice between 1 to 3-hour spot recharge or exchanging discharged for charged batteries. In general terms, each recharging hour represents 10-km range for electric cars and motorcycles.

Geraldo Falcão / Petrobras Image Bank
It is possible to recharge electric vehicles with solar energy at the Eletroposto

The Eletroposto, supplied with solar energy, is a pioneer in South America

Petrobras Archives
Hydrogen Production and Supply Station

“The idea is to connect the Petrobras brand, through the Eletroposto, to a vision of the future and the market, as we foresee growth of 50% a year in the market for electric motorcycles, for example. In addition, government incentives and new laws may boost sales. Thanks to the undertaking, we have acquired the knowledge of technology and the market to operate in this segment. We also want to consolidate our commitment to reducing CO² emissions, to stimulate research on renewable energies, and to seek energy efficiency. Furthermore, we are showing our consumers that we are able to serve them by offering all kinds of fuels for all vehicles, according to the most modern trends,” explains Petrobras Distribuidora’s service station network Technology & VNG manager, Paulo da Luz Costa.

As for the first Latin American service station to supply hydrogen-powered vehicles, the initiative is part of the Brazilian Hydrogen Bus Project launched in 2006, managed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and composed of a consortium of companies which include Petrobras Distribuidora, AES Eletropaulo, Ballard Power Systems, EPRI International, Hydrogenics, Marcopolo, Nucellsys, and Tuttotrasporti.

Art: Cláudio Duarte

The project consists of the construction, operation, and maintenance of four hybrid buses, a prototype and three more, which run on hydrogen fuel cells or rechargeable batteries, and the installation of a Hydrogen Production and Supply Station, with support from Petrobras Distribuidora. The consortium members have designed the bus and will take care of its manufacturing. As for the station to supply the vehicles, whose assembly should be concluded within four months, it will be responsible for separating water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen through electrolysis. The oxygen from the molecules will be released into the atmosphere, while the hydrogen will be stored and compressed to fuel the buses. The station will be able to generate up to 120 kg of hydrogen per day at a pressure of 450kg/cm², which will enable 300km range for each bus. At first, the station will store enough hydrogen to serve only one bus. At a later date, as more vehicles start operating, this capacity will be increased.

Petrobras’ research and development center, CENPES, a project partner, is in charge of technical support. The R&D center is responsible for obtaining the know-how related to the project, for developing Brazilian specifications concerning the technology, and for carrying out studies regarding risk analysis and operational safety.

The financial resources come from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), applied through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Research and Project Financing (FINEP), and the São Paulo state government.

Buses fueled by hydrogen do not emit any pollution, only water

A prototype vehicle was manufactured for the São Paulo State Metropolitan Company of Urban Transport and started operating in July 2009, in the municipality of São Bernardo do Campo.

“The Brazilian Hydrogen Bus Project aims at enabling the use of hydrogen production and application technologies in Brazil, so as to provide the creation of a new market of zero-emission public transportation and to promote the welfare of future generations. After all, the bus releases only steam into the atmosphere, and the pursuit of clean energy is greater and greater worldwide,” points out José Carlos Domingos de Oliveira, Transportation Marketing Manager for Petrobras Distribuidora.

In the world today, only four companies or corporate groups, including the consortium, have the know-how to produce buses with the technology to be adopted by Petrobras Distribuidora and its partners.

In a scenario in which the use of clean and/or renewable energy is not only a trend but also a growing demand worldwide, Petrobras Distribuidora is leading the technological charge in harmony with the new times and its demands. After all, any business has to join profitability and sustainability to last. This is the commitment of the whole Petrobras System.